The Role of Methylation in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Insights From a Bibliometric Study

Background

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a progressive decline in neuronal function, posing a major challenge to understanding their molecular mechanisms. The role of DNA methylation in these diseases remains an area of research focus.

Methods

A bibliometric analysis was performed using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database, covering 3284 publications from January 1, 2000 to November 18, 2024. The search focused on articles related to methylation in neurodegenerative diseases, with queries limited to the “title” field. Only original articles and reviews in English were included. Data were analyzed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix R packages to visualize trends, identify collaborative networks, and identify key topics, such as DNA methylation and Alzheimer's disease.

Results

The analysis showed a steady increase in research output, with major contributions coming from the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. The University of California system, Harvard University, and University College London were leading institutions. Key journals such as the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Nature, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences were identified as having impact. Keyword analysis highlighted DNA methylation and Alzheimer's disease as prominent research topics.

Conclusion

Despite limitations such as the lack of experimental validation and clinical evidence, this study highlights the growing interest in methylation research on neurodegenerative diseases and underscores the need for innovative efforts to identify novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers.